As Frustration Grows, Airports Consider Ditching TSA
The Washington Post reports: “Some of the nation’s biggest airports are responding to recent public outrage over security screening by weighing whether they should hire private firms such as Covenant to replace the Transportation Security Administration. Sixteen airports, including San Francisco and Kansas City International Airport, have made the switch since 2002. One Orlando airport has approved the change but needs to select a contractor, and several others are seriously considering it.”
Obama Craves Familiarity On Hawaiian Vacation
The Associated Press reports: “There are those who crave adventure and spontaneity during their vacations. Then, there’s President Barack Obama. More than a week into his Hawaiian holiday, Obama is proving to be a creature of habit, seeking refuge in the comfort and consistency of a familiar routine.”
For Holder, New Congress Means New Headaches
The New York Times reports: “When the Obama administration wakes up next month to a divided capital, no cabinet member will be facing a more miserable prospect of oversight hearings and subpoenas than Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. Mr. Holder is a particularly juicy target because he presides over issues that have served as recurrent fodder for political controversy — including using the criminal justice system for terrorism cases, and federal enforcement of civil rights and immigration laws.”
New Palin DVD To Be Released
As CNN reports, Sarah Palin’s TV show about Alaska’s great outdoors will now be coming to home video: “At a cost of $19.98, fans of the nature-themed program featuring Palin will receive a two-disc set that includes all seven episodes of the popular show - constituting 387 minutes of Palin and her family amidst the Alaska backdrop. Unfortunately for political junkies however, it appears the new DVDs will not include outtakes or other never-aired moments with the former vice presidential nominee.”
Climate PR Effort Heats Up
Politico reports: “After a year that started with fallout from the ‘Climategate’ e-mail release, saw the cap-and-trade bill die in Congress, and ended with a gang of Republican climate skeptics winning House and Senate seats, global warming experts are going back to basics. Environmentalists, scientists and lawmakers have renewed public relations efforts to put global warming plainly before Americans’ eyes and also rebut opponents who say nothing is happening.”
Waxman: Next Congress Will Be One Of The ‘Most Rancorous’
The Hill reports: “One of outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s closest allies said Thursday the next session of Congress will likely be one of the ‘most rancorous’ periods in U.S. history. Rep. Henry Waxman (Calif.), the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, said that with Republicans taking control of the House and returning with bolstered numbers in the Senate, partisan bickering will heat up in the Capitol.”
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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